Allegany, Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties said Monday they have formed the Maryland Rural Counties Coalition, largely to lobby against the plan. They say they hope to expand the group to include other rural counties, including those on the Eastern Shore, to strengthen their influence in Annapolis.

Frederick County Commissioners President Blaine Young says the interests of rural Maryland are often overshadowed by those of urban and suburban areas in the General Assembly. Opponents portray PlanMaryland as a power grab against local authority that will hurt economic development in rural parts of the state.

The Department of Planning is briefing the Senate environmental affairs committee on the plan Monday in Annapolis.